Ah September! The days are still warm but the nights are getting cooler. The produce is at it's peak and nothing tastes as good as a tomato off the vine! The kids are back in school and our lives are returning to a schedule! That means it's time to get serious about Holiday Stitching. We have many things to tell you about!! Read on...

Sincerely,Pat Delp

Tips, Tricks and Techniques

If you have finished projects and aren't ready for finishing, you can store smaller projects in scrapbook cases. These containers are 12x12 and will hold your work safe and flat until you are ready to finishing. If you have a tip to share, please send us an email at ddesk1@aol.com

Grab
bags are back!! Our famous grab bags are in the store! Cross
stitchers - for $5.00, you can get a grab bag with a value of $125.
Needlepoint - $6.75 for your grab bag, with a value of $225! Come get
them while they last.

Soldiers Kissing Pillows. Some of you may have heard of this wonderful project. A kissing pillow is a very simple cross stitch project. 4 pillows are made for each soldier. The soldier about to be deployed kisses a pillow and leaves it with his/her family - one for each child. The family kisses another pillow and gives it to the soldier. We are making pillows for a Navy Helicopter Squadron. EVERYTHING IS PROVIDED! If you are interested, please stop in the store for your kit! Unfinished pillows are due 1/15/10. Finished pillows are due 3/1/10.

Mystery Discount Envelope, Now through September 15, 2010! We have a basket of Mystery Discount Envelopes on the front counter. Every time you make a purchase, you pick an envelope to receive a discount on your next purchase! Discounts range from 10% - 50%! Lots of fun and great savings too!

Stitchers
wanted! We need stitchers, needlepoint, cross stitch and punch
needle, to make models for the store. If you are interested, call Pat
for more information. The number is 630-262-1234.

Web
Site News. Be sure to check our web site frequently. We will be putting approximately 400
needlepoint canvases on the site - marked down to 50% off! Specials and sales

TARTS. Don't forget, every Thursday is TARTS Day - Thursday's Are Reserved To Stitch. Come on over anytime after 10:00 and stay until closing. We stitch, laugh, help each other out, eat, stitch..... We'd love to have you join us!

Don't forget to bring in your new red or blue bag so you will be eligible for our drawings!!We are on Facebook and Twitter! Check us out!

Trunk Shows

Come see the beautiful canvas projects!July 28 - September 30, 2010 - River Silk Trunk Show. Lots and lots of wonderful silk ribbons! 4mm, 7 mm, 13mm. Some are over-dyed and some are solids! Come and see these wonderful ribbons and let us help you figure out ways to add to your projects.

August 13 - September 15,
2010 - Kathy Schenkle Trunk Show.

September 5 - October 20, 2010 - Whimsy and Grace Trunk Show. Come into the shop and see the wonderful selection of purses and totes. As an added bonus, we will have other canvases from Whimsy and Grace. Check out her wonderful bookmarks.

August 21 - September 12, 2010 - Cooper Oaks
Trunk Show.

Just
a reminder: 15% of on all trunk shows! What a great time to get some
beautiful canvases!

You may be thinking - all these
great canvases, but how to stitch them? Read on to our class schedule!!

Class Schedule

Learn new techniques. Remember, class space is limited! Sign up early and often!Class Schedule

Sept 19; Layering Stitches. Learn how to layer stitch upon stitch to expand your embroidery
repertoire. Stitch herringbone over velvet ribbon and add French knots;
ruch seam binding to frame a cigarette silk and sue a cretan/chevron
stitch combination with crystals and pearls for lush results, plus much
more! 1 day class fee is $75.00 plus any threads you may want to
purchase.

Sept 20; Silk Ribbon and Beaded Bits.Elegant silk ribbon is easy to master in this class. Learn how to
thread up, end off and the basic stitches of silk ribbon. Create a
lovely garden scene to incorporate into a crazy quilt, or use on a
journal cover. You will also learn a free-form chrysanthemum,
bullion-tipped lazy daisy and a clever way to use up scraps of silk
ribbon as small as 1/4 inch! 1 day class fee $75.00 plus any threads
you may want to purchase.

We will have quilt blocks for you to
purchase or you may bring some plan fabric or canvas to work on.

October 22,23,24,25, 2010 - Jill Rigoli of Danji Designs - Canvas Embellishment. Ready to have some fun and add some color to your life? A lot of us are going to stitch on a Laura Birch wonderful canvas. Check out the website at www.danjidesigns.com and click on Laura Birch. If you are interested in stitching on any of the canvases let us know so we can be sure to have them in stock for you. Class fee is $150 for 2 days (including lunch) and $275 for 4 days (including lunch).

November 12 - November 15, 2010 - Brenda
Hart Canvas Embellishment Class. You purchase a canvas from
Designers Desk and Brenda will help you develop a masterpiece. Brenda
has a series of stitch books she has written. If you have one of your
books, be sure to stop by and have her sign yours. Sign up for a
minimum of two days of classes for a fee of $150.00, including lunch. If you sign up for all 4 days, the cost is $275.00.Please Note: November 14 and 15 are full - no more students will be accepted. There is still room on November 12 and 13!

We always take suggestions for classes! If you have any ideas, give us a call!

Geneva Happenings

As always, many great things going on in Geneva. Come to the store then enjoy a walk through our historic town.

Sunday's 8:00 - 2:00 Geneva French Market.This market is located at the parking lot by the Metra Train station, about 6 blocks away from the store. Farmers from as far away as Michigan sell their products. A great time to get some fresh produce, fresh baked goods, and visiting us at the store.September 10 - 12, - Festival of the Vine Come to Geneva for The Festival of the Vine celebration! There will be Art Shows, music, food, sales and of course, wine! Something for everyone in this annual celebration! Check out more at the web site: Festival of the Vine

September 19 - First annual Fox Valley Marathon! Come see the first ever Fox Valley Marathon. This race will be run from St. Charles, through Geneva and Batavia! As you are cheering on your favorite runners, stop into the shop and stitch and shop! Fox Valley Marathon

October Black Hat Day. Wear a black hat and receive special rewards and offers from participating stores in downtown Geneva. Any black hat will do, of course Halloween themed hats are the most fun! See October newsletter for more information.December - Christmas Walk